IELTS TEST @ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Registering for IELTS the Test

Where can I take IELTS?
IELTS can be taken at over 200 locations in 50 countries. Find a centre that is near you.

When can I appear for IELTS? IELTS is available on 48 fixed dates a year – up to four times a month on Thursdays and Saturdays, depending on local demand. Click here for a list of test dates then contact a test centre to book your test.

How much does it cost? The Academic and General Training tests are the same cost. To find out the test fee for your country in your local currency, contact your nearest test centre.

How do I book/register for my test?Click here for information about booking your test.

What if I need to postpone or cancel my application? Please contact the test centre where you booked your test.

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If you postpone or cancel your application more than 5 weeks before the test date, you will receive a refund minus an administration charge.

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If you postpone or cancel within 5 weeks of the test date, you will be charged the full fee unless you have a medical reason.

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If you provide a medical certificate within 5 days of the test date, you will receive a refund minus the local administrative cost.

What if I am absent or sick on the day of my test?

If you are away on the test day with no prior notice, you will lose your full fee. However, if you are unable to attend due to a serious medical condition and provide a medical certificate within 5 days of the test date, you will receive a refund minus the local administrative cost.

IELTS INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS

What are the test rules? Test rules and guidelines can be found on the Notice to Candidates provided in the IELTS Application Form. You are also advised to read the Information for Candidates booklet carefully so that you understand the test format and know what to expect on test day.

Do I take all parts of the test on the same day? The Listening, Reading and Writing components of the test are always completed immediately after each other and with no break. You will take the Speaking test up to 7 days either before or after the test date, depending on the test centre.

What if I am delayed by circumstances beyond my control (e.g. a transport strike)? The test centre may offer you a test on the next available test date.

What can I take into the examination room? Only pens, pencils and erasers. You must bring the pass port/national identity card you used on theIELTS Application Form to the test.

You must leave everything else outside the examination room. Mobile phones and pagers must be switched off and placed with personal belongings in the area designated by the supervisor. If you do not switch off your phone/pager or if you keep it with you, you will be disqualified. Find out more about test day.

Which part do I take first? You do the Listening component first followed by the Reading and Writing components of the test. Depending on the test centre, the Speaking test may be taken up to 7 days either before or after the test date.

What is the Speaking test? The Speaking test is a discussion with a certified and highly qualified IELTS Examiner. The Speaking test is made up of three sections. It is recorded on an audiocassette or a digital recorder. See a sample of the Speaking test. Read more.

What do I need for the Speaking test? You must bring the same identification documents (ID) you supplied on your IELTS Application Form and continue to use the same ID for each part of the test. Your ID will be checked before you enter the interview room.

What kinds of accents can be heard in the Listening and Speaking tests?As IELTS is an international test, a variety of English accents are used in both of these tests.

Can I write in capital letters?Yes, you can use all capital letters in the IELTS Reading and Listening components and also in the Writing component.

Can I write in pencil?You must write in pencil for the Listening and Reading components. In the Writing test, a pen or pencil may be used.

Can I make notes on the Listening and Reading question papers?Yes. The IELTS Examiner will not see your question paper.

IELTS Test Results

How are the IELTS test marked ? IELTS uses a 9-band scoring system to measure and report test scores in a consistent manner. You receive individual band scores for Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking and an Overall Band Score on a band scale from one to nine. Find out more about how IELTS is marked.

Who sets the ‘pass’ mark for the IELTS test ? There is no pass or fail in IELTS. Scores are graded on the 9-band system. Each educational institution or organisation sets its own level of IELTS scores to meet its individual requirements. To find out more, search the list of organisations which accept IELTS scores.

When will I receive my IELTS test results ? Your Test Report Form will be available to you 13 calendar days after your test date. You will only receive one copy of your Test Report Form, unless you are applying to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), or United Kingdom Border Agency (UKBA) – in this case, you can receive two. Proof of application to CIC and UKBA must be provided.

Some test centres provide SMS alerts and you can preview your results online.

Contact your local test centre to find out more.

How many IELTS Test Report Forms (TRFs) am I entitled to ? You will only receive one copy of your Test Report Form, unless you are applying to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), or United Kingdom Border Agency (UKBA) – in this case, you can receive two.

Up to five (5) copies of your TRF will be posted to the relevant institution(s) you have listed on your IELTS application form. Regular postage is free of charge. Charges for courier services and/or overseas postage will be passed onto you. Additional TRFs beyond these five can be requested from the test centre which issued the TRF. Please note, an administration fee may be charged for additional TRFs. If you have lost your TRF, please contact the test centre which issued your TRF.

How can I order more Test Report Forms if my test centre has closed since I took the test?
If the test centre where you took your test has closed we can still send a copy of your Test Report Form to any receiving organisation for the first two years after your test. If you have not done so, please check the test centre search to make sure that your centre has been closed.

To request a Test Report Form you will need to complete an Application form for additional TRFs. It is very important that you complete your family and given names exactly as they appear on your identification document. Submit the form by clicking the Submit button at the end of the form.

Include a scanned copy of the passport or identification document that you used when you sat the test (this is done after you click the submit button on the Application form).

Test Report Forms can only be sent to receiving organisations and additional copies will not be sent to the candidate, their families or friends.

There is no charge for this service.

How soon can I re-sit the IELTS test ?There is no limit on sitting the test. However, IELTS recommends you do additional study before taking the test again. Some test centres offer preparatory courses and language classes. Contact your local test centre for more information.

Download your IELTS Essentials preparation kit.

What if I am not happy with my IELTS TEST result ? You can apply for an Enquiry on Results procedure at your test centre within six weeks of the test date. You must pay an enquiry fee, which is fully refunded if your band score changes. Note that IELTS Examiners and markers follow strict assessment guidelines and are regularly monitored. The IELTS testing process has the highest quality control procedures.